The narrow accesses and heavily wooded subdivisions could complicate things.

Shoupe
says ladder trucks need room to move around in the event of a fire. Some of
these subdivisions, with their steep, narrow accesses, are not making the cut,
he says.

Some towns have regulations in place where new
subdivisions have to take into consideration slopes and street widths.

Shoupe
has been in touch with area firefighters who share his concerns, and is
developing a plan on how to approach proper authorities. Regulations in place
in other areas include ordinances where brush must be raked away from houses.
Green spaces, or clear areas without potential kindling, are vital in
protecting houses in the event of an aggressive wildfire, he says. With more
and more homes surrounding by scenic forests, Avery County could face property
loss in the event of a wildfire. It’s not just in California, according to
Shoupe, and he hopes planning board members and others will keep such incidents
in mind when considering new developments.